"Kathlyn Mead, chief operating officer of The California Endowment, Tom Vandiver, the bond counsel and I met with Sovereign Bank last Wed., November 3rd. The tone of the meeting was very collaborative. We are continuing our negotiations with Sovereign Bank to find resolution on a number of issues. The major news last week was that we received notification that the $10 million in University of California funds has been released. The nursing students can now take classes in the state of the art facility – the Life Sciences Research and Nursing Education building. The release of the $10 million was one of the major milestones in the process of making Charles Drew University financially sustainable. I would like to applaud the collaborative effort of the many people who made this possible."

M. Roy Wilson, M.D., M.S.Chairman Board of Trustees

Accreditation Visit Deemed "Successful"

Ronald Edelstein, Ed.D.

One of the last steps in preparing for a site visit from the regional accrediting firm has been described as "successful." Dr. Ronald Edelstein, Ed.D, the Dean of Academic Affairs who heads up the effort for accreditation, held last week two days of sessions with Stephanie Bangert. Ms Bangert of Samuel Merritt University in Oakland reviewed the university's compliance with standards set by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. "Our faculty and staff outlined the work we have been doing to be in compliance with WASC standards," Dr. Edelstein said. Of Ms. Bangert, he said: "She gave us suggestions and strategy for focusing our reports." Final reports are due Nov. 12. The accrediting firm is scheduled to visit the campus in mid-February.

Wearing Pride on Your Sleeve

Click to see more pictures

The colors black and gold were seen across campus on t-shirts, on patches and hats. A number of staff, students and faculty wore clothing adorned with the university's logo last Friday, turning the first 'Spirit Day' into a memorable one. "I believe the first CDU Pride Friday accomplished what I had hoped for," said Dr.Toni ELBoushi, director of Human Resources. "Many employees were wearing CDU apparel and the showing was great." A raffle was held later that afternoon, as those wearing the university's logo were given a raffle ticket, and Dr. ELBoushi conducted the random drawing. The winners were: Darlene Parker-Kelly, who won a bag; Angela Hernandez, who was given a hat; and Elissa Bradley, who received a denim shirt with the university's logo. Asked what prompted them to participate in "Spirit Day," people said it was important to show their feelings about the university. "I'm proud to be here," said Peachie Jimenez, who is the executive assistant to the Provost and Dean in the College of Medicine. "It's important to represent." Argelis Ortiz, who came to Charles Drew University in June as a researcher from USC, said: "Everyday, is 'Spirit Day' over there," he said of USC. "I was eager to jump in here." The day did more than reveal campus spirit. Dr. ELBoushi was proud that one employee told her the day brought to mind the times when the campus felt like one, big, happy family. "CDU Pride Friday also brought employees together to reminisce on the joys of the past, to laugh today, and think about what tomorrow can bring," Dr. ELBoushi said. Mission accomplished.

Helping Others Have a Merrier Christmas

Maria Lopez wasn't really expecting to do too much last year in the way of shopping for Christmas gifts for her two children. All the joy seemed to fizzle out of the holidays after her husband, Noel, lost his job on the shipping desk of a department store. Suddenly, the hard times got harder, a harsh reality that her two young children-one seven years old and the other three months old-simply could not understand. "What do you tell them?" she asked. "We're suffering like everyone else. But they don't know what that means." The Lopez family story is not new. That's why, some 16 years ago, Charles Drew University began a tradition of helping neighborhood family celebrate the holiday season with "Project Santa Claus." Last year, more than 100 families experienced the joy and pride of the CDU mission in a celebration of Christmas. And more than 400 toys were handed out to neighborhood children through the project sponsored by the UCLA/CDU chapter of the Student National Medical Association. This year, on Sat., Dec. 4, the proud tradition will continue. To learn more about Project Santa Claus and how you can make a difference, please email Dr. Daphne Calmes, daphnecalmes@cdrewu.edu, or Tosha Fernandez, tfern@cdrewu.edu.

News in Brief

Urban Health Institute

Mervyn M. Dymally, Ph.D., a political pioneer who directs the Urban Health Institute, will be speaking Sat., Nov. 13 at the California African American Museum in Los Angeles. His discussion is part of the Conversations: Journeys, Issues & Insights series at the museum.

Charles Drew University is a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian, minority-serving medical and health sciences institution. Located in the Watts-Willowbrook area of South Los Angeles, Charles Drew University has graduated more than 550 medical doctors, 2,500 post-graduate physicians, more than 2,000 physician assistants and hundreds of other health professionals.The only dually designated Historically Black Graduate Institution and Hispanic Serving Health Professions School in the U.S., CDU is recognized as a leader in translational and health inequities research. Recently, the CDU/UCLA medical program was named “best performer” in the University of California System with respect to producing outstanding underrepresented minority physicians, according to the Greenlining Institute.